A new Nexium lawsuit has been filed in Tennessee federal court on behalf of a man who allegedly suffered acute interstitial nephritis while using the proton pump inhibitor. According to the July 5th filing in the U.S. District Court, Western District of Tennessee, the plaintiff is currently undergoing dialysis and will need a kidney transplant due to his condition.

Acute interstitial nephritis is a sudden renal injury that causes swelling in between the kidney tubules. It is usually the result of an allergic reaction to a medication. If not timely treated, the condition may result in chronic kidney disease and even kidney failure. Mention of acute interstitial nephritis was only added to the labels of prescription proton pump inhibitors in 2014.

According to this latest Nexium lawsuit, the plaintiff began taking the proton pump inhibitor in 2003 to treat peptic disorders such as GERD and duodenal ulcer disease. In May 2008, he was diagnosed with severe, drug-induced acute interstitial nephritis. A year later, his condition was upgraded to severe chronic acute interstitial nephritis.

“Defendants failed to adequately warn against the negative effects and risks associated with Nexium,” the complaint states. “In omitting, concealing, and inadequately providing critical safety information regarding the use of Nexium in order to induce its purchase and use, Defendants engaged in and continue to engage in conduct likely to mislead consumers including Plaintiff. This conduct is fraudulent, unfair, and unlawful.”

Proton Pump Inhibitors and the Kidneys

This is just one of several lawsuits filed in recent months that involve proton pump inhibitors and severe kidney complications. The filings follow a number of studies that linked drugs like Nexium to kidney failure and chronic kidney disease, including a paper published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology in April which suggested extended use of the drugs was associated with a 96% increased risk of renal failure and a 28% increase in the risk for chronic kidney disease when compared to another class of heart burn medications. In January, research that appeared in JAMA Internal Medicine also reported that the medications appeared to increase the risk of chronic kidney disease by as much as 50%.

It is estimated that 15 million Americans used a proton pump inhibitor in 2013. However, evidence suggests that as much as 70% of this use may be inappropriate, with many patients taking the drugs for longer periods of time than what is currently recommended.

Learn More about Filing a Nexium Lawsuit

Bernstein Liebhard LLP offers free case reviews to individuals who were diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, nephritis, renal failure or other kidney complications that might be associated with the use of proton pump inhibitors. To learn more, please contact the Firm at (888) 994-8177.

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